--Disease Characteristics-- Histologically proven unresectable advanced renal cell cancer Measurable disease Must have received or not be a suitable candidate for interleukin-2 therapy No papillary or collecting duct renal cell cancer No CNS metastases --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior thalidomide At least 4 weeks since other prior biologic therapy No other concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior endocrine therapy No concurrent corticosteroid therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 No coagulation disorder, active bleeding, or wound healing problem Hepatic: Total bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (for patients with Gilbert's disease, direct bilirubin less than 0.5 mg/dL) SGOT or SGPT no greater than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No coronary artery disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No clinically evident preexisting peripheral neuropathy